Kathleen and Elaine, the Co-founders of Sonder Grace, are wives, moms, bosses and athletes. They discovered the benefits of CBD oil, but were not happy with some of the look, quality and taste of the products available. Kathleen and Elaine set out to source full spectrum, organically grown, great tasting CBD oil. The Sonder Grace mission is to provide the highest quality supplements as they relate to health and beauty both inside and out. They don’t stop there. Education and inspiration on health, beauty, real food and fitness can be found on the blog.

What is CBD oil?

This is a question we hear frequently at Sonder Grace. In many cases CBD is misunderstood and sometimes unheard of all together. CBD stands for cannabidiol. CBD is a compound found in both hemp and cannabis plants that has medicinal effects but does not make people feel “stoned” and actually counters some of the effects of THC. CBD is one of the many active cannabinoids identified in the cannabis plant and is a major phytocannabinoid, accounting for up to 40% of the plant’s extract.

What does this mean and why are people talking about it?

The stigma of CBD getting you “high” has an interesting history. The cannabis plant was and still is used in many cutures for both its medicinal and psychoactive properties. The cannabis plant is also responsible for tetrahydrocannabinol or better known as, THC, the intoxicating component that gets people high. This is the part of the plant that has caused national, international, cultural and legal conflict in recent history. According to Project CBD, traditionally, plants grown for hashish (cannabis resin used for the “high” it provides) in the Kush contained close to equal amounts of CBD and THC. In recent times, cannabis plant genetics mirrored the strong demand for the high delivered by THC. In many regions, CBD – rich plants were a thing of the past and in some geographic areas, non-existent.

The United States is finally catching up with the rest of the world in utilizing the CBD rich compounds!!!

In 1998, the UK government started fueling studies to test theories of the therapeutic benefits of CBD-rich cannabis. It took about a decade for the United states to follow the lead of the UK, but now Academic research centers in the United States are studying the effects of CBD on a wide range of conditions—chronic pain, cancer, Crohn’s, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, PTSD, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, antibiotic-resistant infections, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, and more.

Benefits of CBD Oil

There are many benefits of supplementing with CBD oil. According to research, our bodies contain a whole signaling system that comprises of cannabinoid receptors and other enzymes that are involved in an increasing number of pathological conditions. As more and more research emerges, it is thought we will find even more benefits to supplementing with CBD oil. Though individual results may vary, here is an overview of how CBD can be helpful for the following:

For more information check out our blog to see in-depth studies and the latest news. Also see our link to the diagram of our Endocannabinoid system. Hemp Oil is NOT Psychoactive Unlike medical marijuana, hemp does not contain the psychoactive properties of THC. Additionally, scientific research has documented that CBD is actually anti-psychoactive.

How does CBD work?

The Endocannabinoid System is why CBD works in our bodies! Every major civilization in history has recognized hemp as #1 on its list of important plants. The ancient Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks and Romans all revered hemp as an incomparable source of food and medicine. Now modern science is validating what the ancients all knew — and uncovering exciting new discoveries about hemp and the Endocannabinoid System.

We are hard-wired with a system of cannabinoid receptors throughout our brains and bodies. When these receptors are activated, they enable two-way communication between body systems; something previously thought to be impossible.

With the vast array of conditions CBD oil can address it sounds like snake oil. So how is it possible that one compound can address so many body systems?

CBD or cannabidiol is the main active compound in hemp and unlike THC, it is not psychoactive, so it doesn’t make you high. As you may know, inside the human body there’s the endocannabinoid system, with receptors spread throughout the brain and body. THC activates the CB1 and CB2 receptors, while CBD does not directly stimulate these receptors.

The CB1 and CB2 receptors

Cannabinoid receptors are involved in a series of processes inside the human body, including the regulation of mood, pain sensation, appetite and memory.

These receptors can be activated by endocannabinoids (produced by the human body) as well as by plant cannabinoids (like those found in hemp or cannabis), and they’re grouped in two main categories: CB1 and CB2.

CB1 receptors are found mostly in the central nervous system, and in smaller numbers in the liver, kidneys and lungs, while CB2 receptors are part of the immune system and found in the hematopoietic blood cells as well [1]. CB1 play a role in the production and release of neurotransmitters, cannabis products that exert psychoactive effects stimulating these receptors [2].

CB2 receptors on the other hand affect the immune system, being involved in a variety of functions like immune suppression or apoptosis (programmed cell death). Studies suggest that CB2 modulate the pain sensation and could play a role in various diseases, from liver and kidney problems to neurodegenerative diseases [4, 5].

CBD does not stimulate these two receptors; instead, it activates other receptors, like the vanilloid, adenosine and serotonin receptors. Cannabidiol plays a role in the mediation of body temperature, pain perception and inflammation [6]. CBD also minimizes the activation of CB1 by THC, reducing its psychoactive effects.

The activation of adenosine receptors by CBD gives the anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory effects of cannabidiol. Adenosine receptors are also involved in the release of dopamine and glutamate, two neurotransmitters that play major roles inside the body. Dopamine is involved in cognition, motor control, motivation and reward mechanisms, while glutamate is one of the major mediators of excitatory signals, being involved in memory, learning and cognition.

High concentrations of CBD have been shown to activate serotonin receptors, exerting anti-depressant effects. The same receptor is involved in a series of processes from pain perception, appetite, nausea and anxiety to sleep and addiction mechanisms.

Finally, CBD blocks CPR55 signaling, decreasing bone re-absorption and cancer cell proliferation. GPR55 is widely present inside the brain, being linked with the modulation of bone density and blood pressure, as well as with cancer cell proliferation.

Sonder Grace CBD Oil is in a class all its own. We interviewed and turned down many suppliers. Not only did we want to source organically grown, full spectrum (whole plant), Non-GMO plants, but we also wanted the latest extraction technology in place. Our CBD oil is extracted using Super Critical Fluid Extraction technology which allows maximum nutrient retainment, without using any heat or harmful solvents. The result is a whole food with exceptional nutritional qualities. With Sonder Grace you’re getting highly sought CBD, plus the 400+ other nutrients in a naturally synergistic, easy-to-use, easy-toabsorb form. It truly is a one-of-a-kind product.